![]() When art is in the public eye, consumers have every right to analyze and criticize it. I’m not suggesting that fans drink the Kool-Aid and accept everything the studios and networks have to offer. Time magazine even devoted attention to the toxic effect the vocal minority is having on all of fandom in a Joel Stein penned article. Detractors to Avengers: Age of Ultron attacked Joss Whedon on social media as well as chased a storyboard artist behind the popular Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe after her portrayal of LGBT characters. The implication that Star Trek fandom is the only community witnessing such behavior would be a misrepresentation. This is what defines Star Trek and is what Roddenberry aspired for in his franchise: instead of homogenization and jeering, acceptance and understanding should be the rule of thumb. Star Trek reveals a better way, and suggests that there are more intrinsic goals society can and should welcome.Ĭhange begins within each individual towards that better way of life, while promoting respect to the world, its cultures and ideas. While fans have every right to embrace Star Trek for what it means to them, it is still important to realize, understand and accept that ultimately Star Trek is about a philosophy of a positive future. Roddenberry’s vision is much more than mindless entertainment. Here is the rub however: Star Trek should offer relief from negativity and hate. ![]() For evidence that humanity still has a ways to go one need only look at the current political climate assaulting our world – isolationism, bigotry, hate, all of which are perpetuated by the globe’s chosen leaders. When we grow up – man, we’re going to be something.” Inspirational words for sure. We’re growing up, we’re moving into adolescence now. And all children go through those phases. Noting that humanity is “an incredible species” in his Hollywood Walk of Fame acceptance speech on Septem(31 years ago), Roddenberry added, “we’re still just a child creature, we’re still being nasty to each other. However, posting comments like “I won’t take my children to see Star Trek Beyond now that Sulu is gay” is not in the spirit of what Star Trek is, and should be, about. Trekkies can still nitpick the details, but can do so without being rude and offensive – for instance, debating the way a piece of technology works or whether an event is canon in a constructive conversation. Imagine if a better future began today with that positive group of supporters, who celebrated Star Trek for what it means to them and shared their eagerness for the next new installment. Ideas of a non-dystopian future and peaceful coexistence with others, as well as observing a brighter future while working towards the betterment of humanity, is the reason fans have allowed the franchise to endure for an unprecedented 50 years in popular culture. While the former made for boring dramatic storytelling according to some, it also gave humanity something in which to aspire a team of individuals working as one to solve the unknown with “strength in unity.” Conflict would no longer be something that would define people, nor would the acquisition of wealth. Impressing his ideology of Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations (IDIC) on the masses, Gene Roddenberry continued to expand his notion of how humanity could behave in the future with each new Star Trek story in which he was associated. They were equal members of a crew that represented a better future with collaboration, personal fulfillment and the realization not to force their beliefs on other cultures and individuals. What’s more, the crew of the starship Enterprise, or planet Earth as George Takei has explained, were not identified or labeled by their race or gender, but by their abilities. All of these behaviors can easily be attached to countless fandoms currently occupying the zeitgeist, yet sadly it seems to have taken a firm hold on Star Trek, which is disappointing considering what the franchise represents.Įnthusiasts of Star Trek know the story all too well, how when the franchise debuted on Septemwith “The Man Trap”, viewers witnessed something they had never seen before on broadcast television – a diverse group of people working towards a common goal. Lately however, that vox populi has taken its gripes and issues to an entirely new level one that ridicules, mocks and bullies creators online, as well as posting critical and negative comments to anything and everything covering something that supposedly brings these fans great joy. ![]() It’s not necessarily because they are right, but because they are loud, consistent in message and sometimes the only mouthpiece. Vocal minorities tend to lead perception.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |